Rapture - Just NO.

Jezebel - Smells wonderful in the imp and when I first apply it. Sadly it turns to baby powder within minutes.

Delirium - Can smell the apple, rose and lemon. I like the way it smells, but it’s not for me.

Juliet - Very light. Can definitely smell the pear. I like this.

Cordelia - I just get a light cedar.

Picnic in Arkham > Nyarlathotep

Lab description: Brooding, yet electric: the scent of buried secrets, roiling nightmares, the essence of the Crawling Chaos, the Father of Knives and Locusts, the Hunter in the Dark. This is the blackest of ritual incense charged with flashes of ozone.

Freebie from the lab.

On me: Lemons? Citrusy and aquatic. Not what I expected from the description. As someone on the BPAL forums said, “The Crawling Dark should not smell lemony fresh!” A clean and fresh smell. I like it so far, though I don’t think I need a big bottle.

Illyria > Tamora

Lab description: Amber, heliotrope, golden sandalwood, peach blossom and vanilla bean.

On me: Very sweet upon first application. Very fruity, almost sugary scent. I can almost taste it. A few minutes later and the fruity sweetness started to fade into the background a bit. I love it at this stage, but it soon turns to a mixture of sweet incense and the dreaded baby powder. Still kind of like it though.

SAMHAIN (2007)

Lab Description: Truly the scent of autumn itself — damp woods, fir needle, and black patchouli with the gentlest touches of warm pumpkin, clove, nutmeg, allspice, sweet red apple and mullein.

In the bottle: Very sweet, I can definitely smell the clove and other spices. I don’t know what else my nose is catching, but it’s very much an autumn scent.

On me: Very sweet and the clove seems to have moved into the background. A “deep” scent, but not overwhelming. Sweet without being cloying and the spices are delicious. Good throw as well. I’m so glad I ordered a big bottle of this. Definitely a keeper!

Bewitching Brews > UMBRA

Lab description: The deepest, darkest point in a shadow; the area contained within the shadow of an eclipse. East African black patchouli, cedarwood, vetiver and a dribble of cinnamon.

Freebie from the lab with Halloween order.

In the imp: Heavy and heady cedar. I don’t like it, but I’ll give it a try.

On me: Ugh. No, no, no! Lots of cedar. Cedar overload. No cinnamon. Reminds me of cleaning the guinea pigs’ cages. Very strong, phenomenal throw. Not for me.

Excolo > OLD SCRATCH

Lab Description: Old Nick, the Devil himself, as seen through the eyes of Victorian New England. A jaunty, dapper scent, deceptively gentile: a lavender fougere with tonka, amber, rosewood and a whiff of diabolical patchouli.

Another freebie.

In the imp: Just lavender.

On me: Somehow morphs into men’s cologne. Ugh. Not for me.

Illyria > OPHELIA

Lab Description: Wistful and vulnerable: lotus, water blossom, ivy, stargazer lily and white rose.

Smells of insanely strong rosewater. Very strong, even when dry. Almost headache-inducing. I had to scrub it off. Not a keeper.

Wanderlust > NEW ORLEANS

Lab Description: Reminiscent of hothouse blooms on a humid night, ripe, but touched with decay. Sweet honeysuckle and jasmine with a hint of lemon and spice.

Uh oh. Strong floral. After it dries it tones down a bit and the spice comes out to play. I don’t think it’s for me, but it might be nice as a room scent.

Carnaval Diabolique > Faiza’s Companions > DEATH ADDER

Lab Description: Snake Oil with vetiver, black coconut, vanilla, and opoponax.

Very strong when first applied. From reading the reviews of others I think it must be the vetiver. I had written this off based on the initial scent, but when it dries it changes into something delightful and creamy. A little nutty and smoky. I’ll have to try it again to see if it warrants a bottle purchase.

Mad Tea Party > EAT ME

Lab Description: Three white cakes, vanilla, and red and black currants.

Mmmm… yummy. Very sweet. I can definitely smell the cakey goodness. A few minutes later and now I’m getting some of the fruit coming through as well. I think I may need a big bottle of this.

Dear Lyonesse,

I love you. I love you so much that I think I luuurrvvve you. I can’t stop sniffing my wrists and every time I catch your scent wafting up my brain goes mmmmm and purrs happily.

In short:

I love you….

and mmmmm,

-M